Canonsburg council earlier this year cracked down on people who put up chairs two weeks before to save seats to the parade, which is billed as the second-largest in the state, behind Philadelphia's.

Council banned the chairs until 6 a.m. the day of the parade, but drew fire from residents and business leaders who say the chair-placing -- featuring many festively decorated seats -- had become a tradition unto itself.

As a result, council voted Monday to compromise. Residents can now begin placing their chairs at 6 a.m. July 2 -- but they will no longer be able to tether chairs together with string or chains, or connect them to utility poles, as a safety measure.

Photos: Fourth of July parade marks 50th anniversary

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The Canonsburg Fourth of July parade celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, and thousands lined up along the parade route through town Wednesday.